Burlington, NC (BNC)

The Burlington, North Carolina train station opened in 2003. It is located at:

101 North Main Street, Burlington, NC 27217

This station is housed in the former engine house of the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR)—the only remaining structure of a large 19th-century maintenance facility.

Ownership & Usage

The station components are owned by the North Carolina Railroad:

  • Building/facility: North Carolina Railroad
  • Parking lot: North Carolina Railroad
  • Platform: North Carolina Railroad
  • Tracks: North Carolina Railroad

Ridership & Revenue (Fiscal Year 2024)

MeasureValue
Annual ticket revenue$738,471
Annual station ridership28,753 passengers

Routes Served

This station is served by the following trains:

  • Piedmont (state-sponsored North Carolina service)
  • Carolinian (Amtrak intercity service)

History of the Station

The station site has a rich rail and industrial history:

  • In the mid-1850s, the NCRR built its repair shops for locomotives and cars on the site.
  • The first railroad shops opened in 1857.
  • In 1871, the Richmond and Danville Railroad (R&D) leased the NCRR for 30 years; this reduced the importance of the Burlington shops.
  • In 1887, the local community voted to rename the town from “Company Shops” to Burlington.
  • In June 1918, a fire destroyed much of the former rail complex; only the engine house survived reasonably intact.
  • The city of Burlington was officially incorporated in 1893 and gradually diversified its economy beyond rail-based industry.
  • The modern station building opened in July 2003. It is a renovation of the historic engine house, renamed the Company Shops Station.

During the renovation:

  • The architectural design by Moser, Mayer & Phoenix, Architects maintained many of the original features (for example, the silhouette of the original roof).
  • A soda solution was used to clean the soft brick and reveal previously hidden detail.
  • The project cost approximately $3 million. The state-run North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Rail Division leases the waiting room and platform; their upgrade cost about $20,000.
  • The redeveloped station received an excellence award from the Main Street, North Carolina division of the state Department of Commerce.

Station Facilities & Services

Building & Waiting Room

  • ATM: Not available
  • Elevator: Not available
  • Payphones: Available
  • Quik-Trak kiosks: Available
  • Restrooms: Available
  • Unaccompanied child travel: Not allowed
  • Vending machines: None
  • WiFi: Not available
  • Recommendation: Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure

Baggage Services

  • Amtrak Express shipping: Not available
  • Checked baggage service: Not available
  • Checked baggage storage: Not available
  • Bike boxes: Not available
  • Baggage carts: Not available
  • Ski bags: Not available
  • Shipping boxes: Not available
  • Baggage assistance: Not available

Parking

  • Same-day parking: Available (fees may apply)
  • Overnight parking: Available (fees may apply)

Accessibility

  • Payphones: Available
  • Accessible platform: Yes
  • Accessible restrooms: Yes
  • Accessible waiting room: Yes
  • Accessible water fountain: Yes
  • Same-day accessible parking: Yes (fees may apply)
  • Overnight accessible parking: Yes (fees may apply)
  • No high platform
  • Wheelchair available
  • Wheelchair lift available
  • Accessible ticket office: No

Hours of Operation

Service AreaHours
Waiting RoomMon–Sun: 06:30 AM – 09:00 AM; 10:00 AM – 01:00 PM; 03:00 PM – 09:30 PM
Ticket OfficeNo ticket office at this location
Passenger AssistanceNot available at this location
Checked Baggage ServiceNot available
ParkingNo specified hours for parking lot
Quik-Trak KioskSame hours as waiting room
LoungeNone available
Amtrak ExpressNot available

Why the Station Matters & Community Impact

The adaptation of the historic engine house into a modern station has had a positive effect on Burlington’s downtown area. According to local residents and observers, the restored station building contributes to the city’s architectural heritage and community pride.
The station reinforces Burlington’s role in its regional rail network, supporting mobility and connectivity in North Carolina.

For More Information

For general travel information—schedules, fares, and reservations—please visit the official Amtrak deals website or call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245).
For local community links:

  • City of Burlington: ci.burlington.nc.us
  • NC By Train: ncbytrain.org
  • Whistlestop Exhibit: VisitAlamance.com

For regional contact: Todd Stennis, Regional Contact,